Activity Kits
Kiss Naturals Kits
Kids learn about what goes into lip balms when they mix beeswax, Shea butter and safflower oil to get the perfect formulation into a jar, or a twist-up tube. This all natural kids’ cosmetics line pulls back the curtain on what goes into beauty products like hair chalk, lip gloss and bath fizzies.
$19, www.kissnaturals.com
Personalize Your Riding Center
This brand new, colorful playset includes rider, horses, numerous additional accessories. The riding school can be quickly and easily transformed into an open riding arena. And just like a real horse farm, it has troughs, saddle and bridle holders, and movable gates and windows. The best part, it can also be decorated with stickers and adorable flowers to create a personalized riding school.
$99.99, www.schleich-s.com
My First Fashion Designer
This kit lets young hands create outfits without sewing or cutting, Mix & match fabrics, ribbons and buttons creating runway-ready styles. Just choose fabrics, wrap the dress form, and use buttons to hold each outfit in place.
$19, www.lakeshorelearning.com
4D Batman Gotham City Puzzle
This 1500-piece official puzzle guide for Batman Gotham City, guides players through the assembly of the official DC map of Gotham City.. The first layer is a 1000+ piece jigsaw puzzle, the second layer is an artistic 200+ piece jigsaw puzzle that replicates the night landscape while the third layer adds 3D miniature replicas models such as Wayne Manor, GCPD Gotham City Police Department, Ace Chemical Plant, and others. An LED batman logo even shines into the sky as Gotham City calls for help.
$89, www.4dcityscape.com
Spin & Sparkle Pet Maker
This easy to use hand-powered pet maker lets kids cast their very own sparkly pets then design, decorate and play with their new friends in pop-up imaginative worlds. Pets are ready to decorate in 20 minutes for a fun afterschool or playdate activity with friends.
$19, www.roseart.com
Gaming Toys for Girls and Boys
PowerA mini Controller
Level the playing field if your little one keeps getting bested by her big bro with this controller that offers comfort and precision for kids with a smaller grip (also tucks into a backpack nicely for playdates). With dual rumble motors, impulse triggers, new hexagon micro-textured undercarriage, and 3.5 audio jack, this mini-controller has mini-gamers covered.
$39.99, www.powera.com
Fantastic Beast Playset
Feed the fantasy with this mash-up Lego Dimensions adventure of characters from the biggest entertainment franchises. Harry Potter meets DC Comics, the Ghostbusters join the A-Team. The Fantastic Beasts LEGO playset just launched, along with new game worlds for Harry Potter, Adventure Time, E.T., and Gremlins.
Starter pack $49, expansions from $11, www.bestbuy.com
Elite Pro Tournament Gaming Headset
Designed for eSports athletes, the Elite series product line offers professional grade gaming features, with added bonuses like cooling gel in the ear cups and noise cancelling effect to keep things focused during tournament. (Also works well for those wearing glasses as tension in the headband can be adjusted to not pinch or add pressure.)
$199.95, www.turtlebeach.com
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
If your kids are craving action, but the offerings in the gamer world are a little too graphic or realistic for your taste, tone it down with the new videogame from the Star Wars franchise. The game highlights classic moments from the film and features cooperative gameplay so families can play together.
$49, www.lego.com
Beach Blast
Dumbo Lounge Sack
This portable, multi-use lounge chair just might be the hammock of the future. You can float on water, relax on rough terrain and then fold it up in a convenient, lightweight backpack.
$69, loungesacks.com
iBobber
If you tried to entice your kids to the wonders of fishing, only to have them nose down in their phone ten minutes later, try this castable, wireless fish finder that connects to an app on your phone or other smart devices. Sure, it’s a compromise, but it might lead to a better connection. Or dinner.
$99, www.reelsonar.com
Viva Sol Ladderball
This fun tailgating game gets a classy update with two targets constructed of solid hardwood with walnut finish and bottle openers built in to the side of each target.
$129, www.viva-sol.com
Star Wars Millennium Falcon XL Ride-On and Dice Sticks
The force will be with the kids after they strengthen their diving skills racing to rescue various members of the light or darkside. The inflatable float offers enough room for friends to share (or mom or dad to relax while the kids are at soccer practice!).
$16/$49, www.swimways.com
Doll-La-La-La-La
Melody, American Girl Doll
The newest girl on the block is all about equality. Her 1960’s style is adorable and she sings an important tune. “Fairness and equality for all people sound like music to my ears. More than ever, I need to lend my support at home, at church, and around my neighborhood. It’ll take courage, but adding my voice to others can really make a difference.”
$115, www.americangirl.com
Yama, Surfer Doll
This yoga-minded doll loves to “hang zen” and catch a wave or a moment of serenity. Her namesake limb of Yoga is based on Kindness, teaching that one should avoid any action that could harm another being. Yama’s story is centered on her passion for animals, and working to keep the ocean clean. She comes with shades and a surfboard, ready to hit the waves.
$24, www.aziamgirlz.com
DC Super Hero Girls
Inspired by the star students of DC Super Hero High, the DC Super Hero Girls action dolls are ready to save the day. At 12 inches tall, they take on the bad guys and the misconception that only boys play superhero.
$19, www.dcsuperherogirls.com
Moana Doll
Spunky Moana is ready to seek adventure wherever imagination leads. If kids want some fun on the go, the full cast set of mini-figurines can easily be slipped into pockets or pocketbooks for storybuilding galore on the go.
$19/$25, www.shopdisney.com
Building Memories
Mega Bloks American Girl Grace’s 2-in-1 Buildable Home
Build Grace’s Home or her Patisserie & Slumber Party with this deluxe 2-in-1 set. Buildable rooms include a living room, kitchen, and garden; or a bakery and bedroom with rooftop area, with accessories and real fabric details.
$69, www.americangirl.com
Dinotrux
Prep your new building lot with a good foundation, and one with quite a lengthy history, considering these half-dino-half-construction vehicles have been at the building game since prehistoric times. Fans of the television program will appreciate having a little imagination to go, as the die cast crew can easily park themselves in a backpack or glovebox.
$29 set, shop.mattel.com
Balancing Blocks
These chic, handmade building blocks made of hardwood and created with faceted angles challenging balance and form, are one toy you won’t mind sitting out on your coffee table. In fact, you might even find yourself playing with them during naptime.
$48, www.areaware.com
Arckit Go Colours
Learn design with large floor plates and easy “click and connect” components. The building kit was recently nominated as a finalist for Best Construction Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association. Access Arckit Digital components within the SketchUp 3D Warehouse and you can build your house and then design it online in SketchUp or vice versa.
$59, www.arckit.com
The Future Architect’s Tool Kit by Barbara Beck
This architectural tool kit offers workbook, graph paper, architect’s scale, pencil, and eraser. Children who aspire to design buildings can discover how architects actually work in this workbook, learning how to develop site plan, floor plan, section and elevation like a real pro.
Santy Paws
This time of year is popular for introducing a new furry friend to the house. Many Santa Lists prominently feature a puppy or kitty, so we highly encourage families to seek out a rescue to spread the joy. If your kids are begging for a little furball to love, but you have reservations…we have solutions!
K&H Mod Dream Pod
“I don’t want to have to heat the whole house for a pet!”
With style to spare, the K&H Mod Dream Pod might be the most unique cat or small dog bed on the market. Zip on the dome for the privacy appreciated by all cats, or opt for the bottom disc solo as a cozy spot for Spot. The pillow inside is super-soft and completely washable, and if you choose the heated model, it uses only 4 watts of electricity. (The heater is removable for year round use.)
$69/$129 with heater, www.khpet.com
ecoFLEX Habitat N’ Home Jumbo Litter Loo by New Age Pet
“Litter boxes gross me out.”
Nobody likes to look at a litter box, but many of the cabinets on the market are made of flimsy wood that not only looks cheap, but holds onto odors. We love the ecoFLEX Habitat N’ Home Jumbo Litter Loo by New Age Pet that completely blends into the décor (even makes a handy end table) and is made of a special composite that never absorbs moisture or odors and can be easily wiped clean. The hop in/out opening keeps loose litter from spreading, too!
$169, www.NewAgePet.net
Fusion Gate
“A dog will run wild and destroy the house.”
No one wants the baby’s first shoes chewed to bits, or important papers scattered and plants knocked over. But rickety wooden or metal gates are anything but aesthetically pleasing. Fusion Gate is an artistically beautiful, innovative safety gate that draws natural light into the room through an interchangeable art screen system that can be customized to match the décor. The simple one-finger finial latch, auto close doors (that swing in both directions) make this not only an excellent option for Fido, but for baby as well. $299 with one Art Screen, additional screens
$39, fusiongates.com
Roomba 980
“I can’t stand pet hair, it looks junky and irritates my sinuses.”
If you feel like committing to a pet is committing to a life of vacuuming, The Roomba 980 is iRobot’s first cloud-connected robotic vacuum that will leave you returning to a home that looks like housekeeping just left. Start the Roomba from anywhere (even on vacay) and customize cleaning options directly from a smartphone. iRobot’s “visual simultaneous localization and mapping technology” (it remembers where it’s been and needs to go) allows the techie wonder to build a map of its environment as it cleans and automatically recharging as needed until the job is done. It even detects different floor surfaces, so wooden floors stay as spotless as carpets and rugs.
$899, www.irobot.com
Gifts Mom and Dad will Love to Sport
For the Yoga Studio
Cross Body “go roam” Yoga Bag
A yoga mat is a personal choice, tough to pick for someone else or something they probably already have and love. But you can up their style game by gifting them two free hands (something every parent needs!) as they tote their gear in with ease. Made for yogis, by yogis.
$108, www.manduka.com
For the Club
Tennis Travel Cooler
Hit the courts and work up a thirst, then enjoy a chilled water (or slightly less healthy option) from this fully insulated, soft-sided travel cooler that’s classy enough to blend in any company.
$49, www.personalcreations.com
For the Golfer
HYPERFLEX II Boa
FlexGrid 3.0 BioMorph material combines with a soft athletic mesh in this Boa closure shoe. The Boa dial’s location helps perfect the snug with a “down and back” fit for better heel stabilization.
$179, www.footjoy.com
For the Runner
Gear IconX
Not only are these fitness earbuds truly wireless, it will be music to your ears that they also allow you to store your music right in the built-in player. The Bluetooth cord-free buds also track fitness info and offer feedback on running performance.
$199, www.samsung.com
For the Swimmer
Speedo Shine 2
One of the newest waterproof activity trackers, the tech tracks steps, distance traveled, calories burned & sleep. It also includes smart buttons to control music, lights, and various IoT connected devices. No cables or charging needed – it has a user-replaceable coin cell battery lasts up to 6 months.
$119, www.lego.com
Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold — Travel in Style
Beats Solo3 Wireless
The newest on-ear provides up to 40 hours of battery life to see you through the longest flights. When you only have a quick layover to recharge, Fast Fuel provides 3 hours of playback after just 5 minutes of charging via included micro-USB cable.
$299, Apple.com
Samsonite Black Label Cosmolite Spinner
Curv technology is extremely lightweight but resists impact damage to keep you looking sharp and your goods undamaged, even when they overbook and you have to unexpectedly check your bag. The four multi-directional spinner wheels allow 360 degree upright rolling to alleviate weight on your arm or shoulder, extra helpful when lugging a diaper bag or babe in arms.
$400, www.samsonite.com
By Sascha Zuger
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